title: Socioeconomic outcomes following spinal cord injury and the role of no-fault compensation: longitudinal study.
abstract: METHODS
  Longitudinal cohort study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate socioeconomic and work outcomes over 2 and a half years following spinal cord injury (SCI), and to compare those in receipt of compensation (Accident Compensation Corporation, ACC) and those not.
  
  
  METHODS
  People admitted to the two spinal units in 2007-2009 in New Zealand, where there is a unique no-fault compensation scheme for injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviews were conducted at ∼6, 18 and 30 months after SCI and data collected on pre-SCI and post-SCI health and socioeconomic characteristics. Poisson regression, quantile regression and a linear mixed model regression were used to compare differences in outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 162 eligible people, 118 (73%) participated and 91(77%) were followed to 30 months; 79% received ACC. Median personal income, self-reported standard of living and household income adequacy all fell slightly to 18 months and then stabilized at 30 months. At that time, 49% had returned to paid work. Among those not eligible for ACC, income fell to less than half the ACC group (P<0.006 after adjustment), and return to work was lower (29% versus 54%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings that most people retained their economic status and that return to work was relatively high appear to be due to the proportion entitled to the ACC no-fault compensation scheme for injury; with earnings-related compensation, a focus on rehabilitation to work and non-means-tested support services. This situation should mitigate against the downward spiral into poverty and further ill-health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Derrett
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McAllister
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Herbison
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beaver
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sullivan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000191:economics* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014942:Workers' Compensation; D055815:Young Adult